Wabi Sabi

Wabi Sabi is the Japanese philosophy that celebrates the beauty in what is natural--flaws and all.  Perfection can be boring...In this philosophy, belongings are prized because of (not in spite of) their imperfections.
 
Applying this concept to your life can be very freeing:

Appreciate the imperfections in yourself and others:  I need to accept myself, including the crows feet that are beginning to form around the eyes, the cellulite on the thighs, the tendency to be impatient or demanding.  I need to cherish the fact the DD2 is her own spirit and while she doesn't do things MY Way...her way is still pretty good, my micromanaging co-worker has his moments but that is part of his "charm" (well, that may be taking Wabi Sabi a bit too far...but).  I am a canvas on which life can write a beautiful story! 

In the house:  Good enough can become my mantra.  If the house is not cleaned this week, no one will perish from that state of imperfection!  Cleaning and home repairs should not come at the expense of losing a good day on the water!  Likewise, I need to clear my space--throw away the broken teapot or the ugly skillet with the loose handle the outdated clothing (no matter what it cost) and STOP accumulating more STUFF.  I need to enjoy the good china, the beautiful artifacts we've collected and the clay renderings of the DDs when they were younger (these do in fact have a prominent place in my kitchen).

Meals:  Food is to be enjoyed.  Less is more, natural is better tasting (think hothouse tomato versus the one you just picked ripe and juicy from your own garden) and there should be an enjoyment in the preparation of the meal, not just in the consuming of it.    Even the mess made from cooing can be a time to connect with family members.  Dinner conversation should include a few laughs.

Work:  Align words and actions with values to get true satisfaction and reward in the workplace.  Remember the BIG picture, practice perspective. 

Savor each moment, Breathe deeply, listen to hear, to see beauty you must see the details, relish in the commonplace (a child's laughter, a birds call, the way the sun feels on your skin, the way the burgers smell when cooking on the grill.

Failed miserably at that!

Well-so much for the best laid plans!  I am embarrassed that it's been so long since I posted but I have just been too busy to blog...so 52 weeks is languishing.  I pray you'll forgive me.  I'm in the throes of getting ready to vacation, moving my office, end of school activities/track meets, creating the templates for my stamp camps and working! 
I'll return to this blog when I return from vacation in early June!